PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (WSVN) - A Pembroke Pines woman has been arrested and accused of abusing her Chihuahua, Tuesday.
Shadow now has a safe a forever home, thanks to the help of a good Samaritan.
Pembroke Pines Police said the black Chihuahua, named Shadow, was found chained to a fence with no access to food or water back in September.
Now his former owner, identified as 55-year-old Jenniemae Mathurin, is facing legal charges.
Shadow was malnourished, extremely dirty and had lacerations on the sides of his body due to wearing a harness that was too small for him. He also appeared to be suffering from mange.
“Underneath, the arms were sliced due to an embedded harness,” said Stacy Billingslea of Milo’s Dog Rescue. “The dog had elephant skin, very dry. Emaciated, just not doing well at all.”
After months of investigating, police arrested Mathurin last week on animal cruelty charges.
Police said Mathurin told them she tied Shadow up outside because he kept urinating in the house.
The good Samaritan eventually took Shadow to Milo’s Dog Rescue, where he was nursed back to health and re-homed. Between the good Samaritan, and an anonymous animal rescue, more than $2,000 was raised to help cover Shadow’s medical expenses.
7News went to Mathurin’s house for comment, but she did not answer the door. However, a dog’s barks could be heard coming from inside.
Police do not believe that other dog is in danger. “The other dog, at least to this point, we’re not aware that has suffered the same cruelty that Shadow suffered,” said Pembroke Pines Police Capt. Al Xiques.
Mathurin’s attorneys declined to comment on the case.
“It’s amazing to me how many people out there neglect and abuse animals,” said Billingslea. “I would say this is shocking to me, but it’s not because I get those calls every single day. I don’t understand it, I don’t.”
If Mathurin is convicted of animal abuse, she faces up to five years in prison.
For more information on Milo’s Dog Rescue, click here.
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